Reel device

ABSTRACT

A frame means is supported by wheels mounted on an axle which is removably connected to the frame means. Reel support means is carried by the frame and is drivingly connected with drive means supported by the frame means. The reel support means includes a plurality of drive members. A removable reel has means for receiving said drive members to provide a driving connection therewith. A rotatable guide portion is mounted in spaced relationship to the reel. The guide means is mounted on a support portion which is pivotally connected with the frame means, and locking means is provided for locking the support portion in desired operative position.

Unit

[72] 1 Inventor Richard 111. Dims 210 N. River St IP20. 130M588, Carthage, Mo. 64836 [21] Appl. No. 595 [22] Filed Jan. 5, 1970 [45] Patented Dec. 14, 11971 54] 11121211. DEVICE 13 Claims, 8 Drawing lFlgs. [52] 11.8. C1 242/862, 242/54, 242/157 [5 l] lint. Cl B6511 75/40 [50] Field of Search 242/54, 85, 86, 86.1, 86.2, 86.3, 86.5, $651,115,157

[ 56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,556,937 6/1951 O'Keefe 242/862 X 2,620,201 12/1952 Brady, Sr. 242/865 X 2,692,092 10/1954 Kinsinger 242/865 Primary Examiner-Stanley N. Gilrcath Assismm Examiner-Werner H. Schroeder AnorneyShoemaker & Mattare ABSTRACT: A frame means is supported by wheels mounted on an axle which is removably connected to the frame means. Reel support means is carried by the frame and is drivingly connected with drive means supported by the frame means. The reel support means includes a plurality of drive members. A removable reel has means for receiving said drive members to provide a driving connection therewith. A rotatable guide portion is mounted in spaced relationship to the reel. The guide means is mounted on a support portion which is pivotally connected with the frame means, and locking means is provided for locking the support portion in desired operative position.

FATENTEU DEC 1 4 :97:

SHEET 2 BF 3 IINVIENTUM RICHARD E. mess [wi l REIEIL DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a reel device which can be employed for reeling and unreeling various items, and is particularly suitable for use with irrigation hoses. The recent development of large traveling hose dragging agricultural irrigation sprinklers has created a demand for a large versatile hose reel capable of handling up to 660 feet or more of hose in sizes ranging from 2 ,inches through 6 inches in diameter.

Conventional reel devices suitable for such uses are excessively bulky in construction and cannot be readily disassembled for shipment. A further disadvantage of such constructions is the fact that they are designed for use with one particular nonremovable size reel and hose. This has necessitated purchasing a separate device for each hose to be employed.

Conventional reel devices are not capable of laying down a hose on the ground for use under some tension in a straight line so as to prevent snaking under pressure from slack in the hose. Snaking of the hose requires wider run strips to be left out in tall crops and increases the pressure loss in the hose due to friction. A further disadvantage of known constructions is the fact that the width of the strip of crop left out for traveling sprinklers to pass through is excessive.

Vertical reels have proved unsatisfactory as the hose drags on the reel rim since it is not possible to keep the reel lined up with the hose when it is used on irregular ground in an irregular pattern.

An additional shortcoming of the conventional reel devices is the fact that they are limited in their adaptability to various drive means. Another drawback of known reel devices is the fact that if the hose coupler is left on the end of the hose when winding it on a reel, the hose may be damaged by the coupler.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A lightweight frame means is supported by wheels mounted on an axle which is removably connected with the frame means. This construction enables the axle and wheels to be readily detached from the frame means so as to provide a substantial savings in shipment.

A driven reel support means is carried by the frame means and is drivingly interconnected with drive means supported by the frame means. First drive connection means is provided on the reel support means which cooperates with second drive connection means formed on a removable reel for drivingly connecting the reel to the reel support means.

With this arrangement, the reel with its hose can be quickly and easily removed when desired, whereby different size hoses can be readily employed with the device by storing the hoses on different reels. A separate reel may be employed with each hose and suitably stored until ready for use.

The construction is such that the reel is supported in an inclined position which provides a much gentler handling of the hose than occurs with vertical reels. This is due to the fact that the hose always follows the same angle of inclination when placed under tension by the reel.

The drive means of the present invention is suitable for connection to various sources of power. For example, it can be connected with the power take off of a tractor through a gear box, or it can be driven by a hydraulic motor driven from a tractor or truck. An electric motor can also be employed for driving the drive means, or a small gasoline engine may be utilized. This versatility of the drive means enables the reel device to be operated with motive equipment in any area or country.

The frame means includes an adjustable hitch means whereby the device can be attached to a tractor or a truck drawbar at a suitable height so that the reel will be maintained in the proper angular relationship to an associated supporting surface.

A cavity is provided in the hub of the reel for receiving a hose coupler provided at one end ofthe hose. This cavity has a smooth rounded edge which is adapted to grip the hose without damaging the hose under reeling tension. Since the hose coupler is received in a cavity in the hub, the coupler can remain in place while transporting or storing the reel.

The present invention provides a dependable and simple construction whereby a hose may be laid down on the ground for use under some tension in a relatively straight line. The guide means is engageable with the hose for laying the hose down on either side of a run strip next to the rows of crop to reduce the width of the strip of crop left out for the traveling sprinklers to pass through.

The reel device of the present invention provides a simple and inexpensive construction, yet one which is rugged and reliable in operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is an elevation of a reel device according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the device shown in FIG. I;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective exploded view partly broken away, illustrating a portion of the structure;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. ll, looking in the direction of DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, as seen in FIGS. l-3, a frame means includes a first elongated tubular frame member 10 having an adjustable hitch means indicated generally by reference numeral 12 at the forward end thereof. This adjustable hitch means includes a pair of spaced plates l4 having aligned holes l6 formed therethrough for receiving a suitable connecting member. This hitch means enables the device to be connected to a tractor or a truck draw bar at a suitable height so that the reel supported thereby is maintained in the proper angle of attitude so that a hose thereon will not rub on the rim of the reel. The frame means includes an upwardly extending tubular member 20, the lower end of which is rigidly secured to member 10. The upper end of member 20 is in turn rigidly secured with an elongated tubular member 22, member 22 also being rigidly secured at the opposite end thereof to the rear end of tubular member 10. Members 10, 20 and 22 are formed of a suitable rigid material, such as steel or the like, and are interconnected with one another as by welding to provide a light weight yet rigid framework.

The frame means is supported by a pair of wheels 30 which may be conventional rubber tire wheels as employed on automobiles, these wheels being mounted at opposite ends of a tubular axle 32. As seen most clearly in FIG. 3, a flat plate 34 is rigidly secured as by welding to the upper surface of axle 32 and is adapted to be detachably connected to a similar flat plate 36 rigidly attached as by welding to the under surface of frame member by a plurality of nut and bolt assemblies 38. In this manner, the axle and the wheels mounted thereon can be readily detached from the frame means for shipping or the like.

The drive means includes a gear box 40 secured to the forward end of frame member 22, a shaft 42 extending outwardly of the gear box for connection with the power take off of a farm tractor or any other suitable driving means as previously discussed. A clutch or overload device may also be employed in the drive means if required. An output sprocket 44 is drivingly connected with the gearing in gear box 40. Sprocket 41% is in turn drivingly connected with a drive chain 46.

As seen in FIG. 4, drive chain 46 is connected with a second sprocket 50 mounted by bearing means 52 on a shaft 54 which is supported by frame member 22. Sprocket 50 is rigidly attached to a reel support means 50 in the form of a disclike member having four separate equally spaced elongated drive members or pins 62 secured thereto and extending upwardly therefrom. These drive pins provide a first drive connection means for providing a driving connection with a removable reel hereinafter described.

A removable reel includes a generally cylindrical hub portion having a pair of disclike members 72 secured to the ends thereof. Each of members 72 has a central aperture 73 and four spaced holes 74 formed therethrough, and four guide tubes 75 interconnecting said holes and adapted to receive drive members 62 as seen in FIG. 4, whereby the reel can be lowered into the operative position illustrated and drivingly interconnected with the reel support means.

A plurality of spokes 78 have the inner ends thereof connected with members 72, while the outer ends of the spokes are connected with circular rim members 80. The spokes associated with each rim member are shown as being eight in number and the spokes as well as the rim members are preferably tubular in construction.

As seen most clearly in FIG. 5, hub 70 includes a portion 82 defining a vertically extending cavity 84 extending the height of the hub. Cavity 84 is adapted to receive a hose coupler 86 at the end ofa hose 88 mounted upon the reel device. it will be noted that the hose coupler is received within the cavity which has smooth rounded edges for gripping the hose without damaging the hose under reeling tension. This cavity allows the hose coupler to remain on the hose while transporting, storing, reeling or unreeling a hose with respect to the reel device.

A guide means indicated generally by reference numeral is supported by the frame means in spaced relationship to the reel. The guide means in spaced relationship to the reel. The guide means includes a support portion 102 of generally Zshaped configuration, the lower end of this support portion being rigidly interconnected with a pair of spaced parallel plates 104 and 106. These plates are pivotally interconnected with the rear end of tubular member 10 by a pin 108 extending through suitable aligned holes provided in the plates and the tubular member.

A lock means is provided for locking the support portion of the guide means in predetermined angular relationship with respect to the frame means. The lock means includes a plurality of spaced recesses 110 provided in the edge portion of upper plate 104. These recesses are adapted to receive a complementary lock portion on a member 122 slidably mounted with respect to frame member 10 and guided in its movement by a generally U-shaped member 124 rigidly secured to the frame member.

The opposite end of member 122 is pivotally connected by pin 126 with a link 128. The opposite end of link 128 is pivotally connected by pin 130 with one end of an elongated operating lever 132. Lever 132 is in turn pivotally supported by a pin 134 secured to a plate 136 fixed to frame member 10 and extending laterally therefrom.

A member 140 is secured to link 128 and is connected to one end ofa tension spring 142, the opposite end of which is connected to a member 144 fixed to and extending laterally from frame member 10. it is apparent that spring member 142 normally biases link 148 and the interconnected member 122 toward plate 104 so as to hold the components in locked position as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. When it is desired to release the lock means, lever 132 is manually grasped and rotated in a counterclockwise direction as seen in FIG. 6 to move member 122 against the force of spring 142 so as to free plate 104 and the associated support portion of the guide means for swinging movement with respect to the frame. After the support portion has been placed in desired position, member 132 can be released whereupon spring 142 will move member 122 back into locking position so as to hold the support portion of the guide means in position relative to the frame means.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the guide means includes a spindle 150, the lower end of which is supported by support portion 102. A tapered support member 152 is carried on an enlarged part 154 of spindle 150. A pair of spaced bearings 156 and 158 rotatably journal a cylindrical sleeve 160 which is adapted to engage a hose during certain operations of the device.

A washer 164 engages upper bearing 158 and is held in position by a nut 166 threaded on the upper threaded end of spindle 150. A cotter pin 168 extends through a suitable diametrically extending hole provided in the upper end of the spindle to maintain the components in the operative position illustrated. A cap 170 is snapped into place to close off the upper open end of sleeve 160. In operation, a tractor or the like is secured to hitch 12 and any adjustment necessary is made so that the reel is in the proper angular attitude for field use. The tractor with the reel device connected therewith is then positioned at one end of the hose. The hose coupler is then inserted into the recess provided in the pocket of the reel mounted on the device and the drive means of the device is operatively connected with the power take off of the tractor. The tractor then moves freely backward with the reel as the first few turns of hose are pulled on to the reel. The brakes of the tractor are then set so that the hose can be pulled forward out of a field as the reel turns under the influence of the drive means. This operation is continued until the entire hose is reeled into place. The guide means need not necessarily be employed in reeling up the hose.

If more than one-hose is involved and it is desired to store the hose which has been reeled up, the device may be towed to the point of storage. The removable reel may be lifted off of the reel support means and placed in storage while a separate independent reel is then placed on the reel support means. The process can then be repeated until all hoses that it is desired to store have been reeled up and placed in storage.

If a hose is being put down in a new location, a tractor with the reel device in tow is positioned at the start of the lay-down run and directed toward the end of the run. A reasonable portion of the hose is pulled from the reel or any other suitable method is employed for developing resistance to allow the hose to be pulled from the reel when the tractor is moved forward toward the end of the run.

The guide means may be used at this time to lay the hose down either to the right or left of the device and next to the crop row. When the hose has been unreeled down to the hose coupler, the coupler can be removed by hand from the recess in the hub portion of the reel.

It is apparent that the reel device of the present invention may be readily utilized for reeling and unreeling items other than irrigation hose.

Asthis invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive.

What is claimed is:

l. A reel device comprising frame means, wheels supporting said frame means for movement over a supporting said frame means for movement over a supporting surface, drive means supported by said frame means, rotatable reel support means supported by said frame means and drivingly connected with said drive means, said reel support means including first drive connection means, a reel readily removably supported by said reel support means for rotation therewith, said reel support inclined in a plane relative to said supporting surface so that a hose or the like wound on said reel extends in the plane of said reel as said hose or the like is wound onto said reel, said reel including second drive connection means cooperating with said first drive connection means to drivingly connect said reel with said reel support means.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said wheels are mounted on anaxle, said axle being removably connected to said frame means.

3. A device as defined in claim 1, including an adjustable hitch means for securing the frame means to a vehicle, said frame means including an inclined portion carrying said reel support means in said inclined position.

4. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said first drive connection means includes a plurality of spaced drive members.

5. A device as defined in claim 4, wherein the second drive connection means comprises means on said reel for receiving said drive members.

6. A device as defined in claim ll, wherein said removable reel includes a hub portion having a cavity formed therein for receiving a hose coupler disposed at an end of a hose would on the reel.

7. A device as defined in claim ll, including guide means supported by said frame in spaced relationship to said reel and having a rotatable portion engageable with a hose wound on the reel.

8. A device as defined in claim 7, wherein said guide means includes a support portion pivotally carried by said frame.

9. A device as defined in claim including lock means for locking said support portion in predetermined relationship with respect to said frame means.

10. A device as defined in claim 9, wherein said lock means includes at least one member fixed to said support portion and having a plurality of recesses formed therein, and a locking member movingly supported by said frame means, and resilient means normally biasing said locking member into one of said recesses to lock the support portion in operative position.

11. A device as in claim ll, wherein said removable reel includes a hub portion having a cavity formed therein for loosely receiving a hose coupler disposed at an end ofa hose would on the reel, said hose coupler being movable relative to said cavi ty to relieve tension on a hose wound on said reel.

12. A reel device comprising frame means, Wheels support ing said frame means for movement over a supporting surface, drive means supported by said frame means, reel support means supported by said frame means and drivingly connected with said drive means, said reel support means including first drive connection means, a removable reel supported by said reel support means, said reel including second drive connection means cooperating with said first drive connection means to drivingly connect said reel with said reel support means, guide means supported by said frame means in spaced relationship to said reel and having a rotatable portion engageable with a hose wound on the reel, said guide means including a support portion pivotally carried by said frame means for pivotal movement laterally to a plurality of positions at opposite sides of said frame means, and lock means for locking said support portion in said plurality of positions.

113. A reel device comprising frame means, wheels supporting said frame means for movement: over a supporting surface, drive means supported by said frame means, reel support means supported by said frame means and drivingly connected with said drive means, said reel support means including first drive connection means, a removable reel supported by said reel support means in inclined position relative to said supporting surface, said reel including second drive connection means to drivingly connect said reel with said reel support means, an adjustable hitch means for securing said frame means to a vehicle, said adjustable hitch means including means for connecting the hitch to a vehicle at different heights to maintain the reel in said inclined relationship relative to said supporting surface. 

1. A reel device comprising frame means, wheels supporting said frame means for movement over a supporting surface, drive means supported by said frame means, rotatable reel support means supported by said frame means and drivingly connected with said drive means, said reel support means including first drive connection means, a reel readily removably supported by said reel support means for rotation therewith, said reel support inclined in a plane relative to said supporting surface so that a hose or the like wound on said reel extends in the plane of said reel as said hose or the like is wound onto said reel, said reel including second drive connection means cooperating with said first drive connection means to drivingly connect said reel with said reel support means.
 2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said wheels are mounted on an axle, said axle being removably connected to said frame means.
 3. A device as defined in claim 1, including an adjustable hitch means for securing the frame means to a vehicle, said frame means including an inclined portion carrying said reel support means in said inclined position.
 4. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said first drive connection means includes a plurality of spaced drive members.
 5. A device as defined in claim 4, wherein the second drive connection means comprises means on said reel for receiving said drive members.
 6. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said removable reel includes a hub portion having a cavity formed therein for receiving a hose coupler disposed at an end of a hose wound on the reel.
 7. A device as defined in claim 1, including guide means supported by said frame in spaced relationship to said reel and having a rotatable portion engageable with a hose wound on the reel.
 8. A device as defined in claim 7, wherein said guide means includes a support portion pivotally carried by said frame.
 9. A device as defined in claim 8, including lock means for locking said support portion in predetermined relationship with respect to said frame means.
 10. A device as defined in claim 9, wherein said lock means includes at least one member fixed to said support portion and having a plurality of recesses formed therein, and a locking member movingly supported by said frame means, and resilient means normally biasing said locking member into one of said recesses to lock the support portion in operative position.
 11. A device as in claim 1, wherein said removable reel includes a hub portion having a cavity formed therein for loosely receiving a hose coupler disposed at an end of a hose wound on the reel, said hose coupler being movable relative to said cavity to relieve tension on a hose wound on said reel.
 12. A reel device comprising frame means, wheels supporting said frame means for movement over a supporting surface, drive means supported by said frame means, reel support means supported by said frame means and drivingly connected with said drive means, said reel support means including first drive connection means, a removable reel supported by said reel support means, said reel including second drive connection means cooperating with said first drive connection means to drivingly connect said reel with said reel support means, Guide means supported by said frame means in spaced relationship to said reel and having a rotatable portion engageable with a hose wound on the reel, said guide means including a support portion pivotally carried by said frame means for pivotal movement laterally to a plurality of positions at opposite sides of said frame means, and lock means for locking said support portion in said plurality of positions.
 13. A reel device comprising frame means, wheels supporting said frame means for movement over a supporting surface, drive means supported by said frame means, reel support means supported by said frame means and drivingly connected with said drive means, said reel support means including first drive connection means, a removable reel supported by said reel support means in inclined position relative to said supporting surface, said reel including second drive connection means to drivingly connect said reel with said reel support means, an adjustable hitch means for securing said frame means to a vehicle, said adjustable hitch means including means for connecting the hitch to a vehicle at different heights to maintain the reel in said inclined relationship relative to said supporting surface. 